Health-Related Quality of Life and Costs of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults in Germany

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the psychopathological consequences of sexual and/or physical abuse. The economic burden is assumed to be high, whereas health-related quality of life and education is negatively affected. This study aims to determine health care costs, health-related quality of life, and educational interruption in adolescents and young adults with PTSD after sexual and/or physical abuse in Germany. Methods: This analysis used data of 87 participants aged 14-21 years of a randomized controlled trial. Health care utilization, health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), sick leave days, productivity, and delay or failure to achieve educational aims were assessed. Health care costs from a payer perspective were calculated using unit costs for the year 2014. Results: Mean health care costs for a six-month period were 5,243€ (SE 868€). In particular, costs of inpatient stays in psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals and rehabilitation as well as child welfare institutions were high. In addition, health-related quality of life was lower due to anxiety/depression, resulting in a mean EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS score of 0.70 and 61.0, respectively. Furthermore, participants reported on average 27 sick leave days, a productivity loss of 61%, and a delay in education attainment as well as having been unable to achieve educational aims. Conclusion: PTSD in adolescents and young adults is associated with a high economic burden. Health-related quality of life was substantially reduced. Furthermore, delay and productivity losses in education were observed.

Maternal Separation Induces Sex-Specific Differences in Sensitivity to Traumatic Stress

“…Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder that has a prevalence rate of 7.8% of the US population (Kessler et al, 1995), and the socioeconomic cost associated with PTSD is extensive (Kessler, 2000;Dams et al, 2020). Identifying neurobiological mechanisms via which axis, arousal, and re-experiencing symptoms (Liberzon et al, 1997(Liberzon et al, , 1999Khan and Liberzon, 2004;Kohda et al, 2007;George et al, 2012George et al, , 2015Knox et al, 2012).…”

Health Care Services Utilization and Health-Related Quality of Life of Syrian Refugees with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Germany (the Sanadak Trial)

“…The low HCSU and the low health care costs, especially related to psychiatric hospitals, might be an indication for insufficient or even inappropriate health care with respect to the PTSS. However, results of the current study may not be directly comparable to those of the aforementioned study, as the sample there was younger and recruited in clinical settings after a clinically definite diagnosis of PTSD [ 46 ].…”

“…The annual health care costs resulting from the HCSU of the Syrian refugees with mild to moderate PTSS without current treatment of around EUR 2000 per person seemed to be relatively low compared with the annual health care costs for persons with PTSD in Germany ranging from more than EUR 9000 to almost EUR 15,000 [ 21 , 46 ]. Even for those refugees with a probable PTSD diagnosis, the annual health care costs of around EUR 3000 were distinctly below those costs.…”

“…In a study analyzing the economic consequences of PTSD in adolescents and young adults in Germany, half of the total health care costs were attributable to psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals and rehabilitation [ 46 ]. In contrast, in the current sample, costs attributable to inpatient care were only one third of the total health care costs.…”

Internet- and mobile-based trauma-focused intervention for adolescents and young adults with posttraumatic stress disorder: a study protocol of a proof-of-concept feasibility study

“…A prevalence study estimated the lifetime prevalence for PTSD in youth to be around 1.3% and showed a strong association between PTSD and other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety (Perkonigg, Kessler, Storz, & Wittchen, 2000 ). If PTSD symptoms are left untreated, they often persist (Scheeringa, Zeanah, Myers, & Putnam, 2005 ; Yule et al, 2000 ) and have a negative impact on the psychosocial, emotional and academic development, placing a high burden on both the individual and society (Dams et al, 2020 ; Habetha et al, 2012 ; Makley & Falcone, 2010 ; Ogle, Rubin, & Siegler, 2013 ; Porche, Fortuna, Lin, & Alegria, 2011 ). To prevent long-term consequences, timely treatment options should be available for affected individuals when needed.…”